Got distracted by the rock-star comment. Baffling, really. Did I miss something else?
“She... does?” I ask.
Joss’s snort echoes against the tile surrounding us. “Yeah, bruh.”
Not sure what to think of this, so I just shoot her a teasing grin, hoping to brush over it. “Can you blame her?”
None of the residents have ever come on to me directly. One or two have invited me out, but it’s always a group thing. I have successfully avoided all possible work entanglements for three years like a stand-up, professional citizen.
Except for that one time. After Oktoberfest. The mistake that could have had disastrous consequences. But nothing happened, so it doesn’t count.
Jocelyn bites her lip. “Ican’tblame her.”
Uh...
What?
“Oh, don’t look at me like that.” She waves a hand at me. “You know you’re a catch.”
I want to laugh. If I was a catch, I wouldn’t be so easy to leave. “No, I’m not.”
“Of course you are. That girl would probably faint if you asked her to come with you to Florida instead of me. Don’t fish for compliments.”
The mention of Florida makes my chest tighten. Do I really need the reminder Joss offered a pity date so I don’t have to be alone? “I’m notfishing. I’m truth-telling.”
An incredulous laugh bursts out of her. “What? You are absolutely a catch! You’re like the catch of a lifetime. How can you not see that?”
My head tilts. “Jocelyn. There’s no way you actually believe that.”
“Um. Yeah, I do.”
I don’t even have the words to explain to her how wrong she is, nor—for the sake of my own pride—do I want to.
She flaps her hand toward my body. “If I was a normal girl, I would absolutely be all over that.”
What?“Anormalgirl? Youarea normal girl. And except for one drunken night a long time ago, you’ve never shown any interest in me.”
Her eyes go wide, and I realize my mistake at once.
Whoa. Whoa. Whoa. I didn’t mean it like that.
Sudden panicky flutters are massively unpleasant.
Must take it back.
“I mean... Shit. Not like I’vewantedyou to show interest. I’m just saying thatyouare the one who’s a catch, and youarenormal. You just haven’t found the person you’re ready to change your ways for. So no, I don’t believe that you would beall over thatbecause there will come a day when you are ready to change. There will be someone you trust enough to let all the way inside. That day hasn’t come, and that person definitely isn’t me. So don’t give me fake platitudes to make me feel better. It’s insulting to both of us.”
Her face blanches. “That’s not what I was doing.” She takes a tentative step closer, her brow wrinkling with concern.
Oh, no. Is thiscaringJoss? This is the rarest Joss. And also the one that’s hardest to deal with. This Joss is disarming. Confusing. Inner shields lift of their own volition. Whatever she’s about to say, I must ignore. Caring Joss creeps through my defenses like smoke. Makes me feel weird things I don’t understand.
“Asher, I don’t think you see yourself clearly. You are such a good man. And you’reniceand successful. And you’re pretty to look at. Any girl would be lucky to have you—”
“Then why am I alone?”The words erupt from me, and I hate them the second they’re out in the universe.
Ack.
This is not a good look.
